The Windsor Spitfires scored first, but the Owen Sound Attack would skate away 6-1 winners after a dominating performance at the WFCU Centre on Thursday night.
Tyler Angle opened the scoring in the game in the first period. It would be the lone goal fo rthe Spitfires.
Michael DiPietro was pulled from the net mid-way through the second period after allowing five goals on 16 shots. Mario Culina stopped 12 of 13 in relief.
The Spitfires were outshot 29-20.
The Attack scored on the powerplay and a shorthanded goal in a four-goal second period.
The Windsor Spitfires take on the Owen Sound Attack at the WFCU Centre on March 16, 2017. (Photo by Tim Jarrold)
Spitfires forward Aaron Luchuk isn't sure why the team came out flat.
"Obviously this is a big game for us, we wanted to win, a potential first-round [playoff] opponent and we want to kind of send a message and obviously we did come out flat," says Luchuck. "Their goalie made some big saves at key times and the game kind of got away from us there in the second period and that was that. It's something we'll have to learn from, move on and get ready for the playoffs."
Luchuk doesn't think the loss is what the "real" Spitfires play like.
"I think obviously tonight wasn't by any means. I think tonight was just a blip on the radar. Tomorrow we'll work on it at practice and kind of forget about it and move on to Saginaw for the last game of the year and keep getting ready for playoffs," says Luchuk.
Spitfires head coach Rocky Thompson says the team may be in a bit of a funk.
"A little bit," says Thompson. "The other night in Sarnia we out shot them 42-23 I think and we didn't score; we had opportunities to score — we didn't."
The Spits wrap up the regular season on Saturday in Saginaw. Puck-drop is set for 7:05pm against the Spirit.